As most of you know, I collect vintage cookbooks and love to cook from them but occasionally I make up my own recipes. I can't believe how good my take on a healthy soup and grilled cheese is!

When Canaan & I were at the cabin last week, I made condensed tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I didn't like the canned soup any more than Canaan did and I found myself breaking up the grilled cheese sandwich into my soup just so I could get the soup down. I knew I could make a much better soup and so this is how I came up with the idea for this meal. It's SO good! Can't wait to make and eat it again.

HOMEMADE TOMATO SOUP

Serves 4

3 C chopped tomatoes

2/3 onion, chopped

3 whole cloves

1 1/2 C chicken broth

2 T butter

2 T flour

1 t salt (opt)

1 t or more sugar

In a pot over medium heat, bring tomatoes, onion, cloves & chicken broth to a gentle boil for 20 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Blend well in blender then run through sieve and press out liquid with the back of your spoon. Discard solids.

Rinse out pot, then melt butter over medium heat, stir in flour to make a roux.

Cooking until medium brown.

Gradually whisk in some tomato mixture so no clumps form. Then stir in rest.

Season with sugar and salt.

Serve immediately with Grilled Cheese Croutons.

Store leftovers separately from the croutons in the refrigerator.

GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

serves 4

4 or more slices French bread or any other white or wheat bread

2 1/2 t melted butter

1/4 to 1/2 t garlic salt

shredded cheddar or colby cheese

Cut bread into slices at least 1 inch thick.

In a bowl, combine butter & garlic salt. Brush over one side of bread slice.